Hello,
We are planning to be in Funchal for 10 days in October. We are retired couple with some walking limitations. Any day trips can you recommend (easy access is a must).
Also, any Fado recommendations (not tourist traps, but preferably authentic)?
Any practical advice would be very helpful as well!
Thank you very much.
I visited Madeira decades ago and don't remember my sidetrips other than a couple of levada walks (which might work for you with transportation to and from, because the levadas are flat) and Curral das Freiras (presumably still with public-bus service). CdF is in a hilly area but the village itself may be reasonably flat.
Madeira's terrain is highly varied, so just about any bus ride will yield lovely views. I'd stop in at the Funchal tourist office and ask for recommendations. Perhaps it still has a brochure with all the bus schedules.
I took a small group tour while in Funchal that didn’t involve a lot of walking. The hotel gave us the recommendation. I’m guessing you could look at Trip Advisor for day tours from Funchal. There are tours to both sides of the island and I don’t know which involves less walking. I’m pretty certain I took the one to the west side.
The same young man who did our tour, also took us around town the next day to avoid walking the hills. The part of Funchal close to the water is flat.
hey hey mitseng1
we visited madeira several years on a cruise stop. an absolutely gorgeous island. we hired a private taxi that carried about 10 people and took us on a half day tour (the more people the less it costs) of nun's valley and rode the monte toboggan wicker ride. a thrilling experience and they picked us up at bottom of hill and back to town and to cruise port in time for sailaway.
madeira-tourguide.com
check the tours offered
madeiratoursbydiogo.com
nowinportugal.com
madeirafoodonfoot.com
shutupandeatmadeira.com
also stop by a tourist kiosk usually in a plaza in city center and see what is offered for the any day you're looking for things to do. roam through the markets, shops, cafes/restaurants and enjoy. if you're staying in a condo/apt buy local products and cook/eat take out/make a picnic, taste the local fruit/veggies, cooked meats, have some wine. just enjoy yourself
aloha
